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Stalker
A stalker is bad enough . . . but when that stalker is a serial killer who knows everything about your life, things can only get worse. Teri Holtz, author of a successful thriller series, has just gotten an email from a man who claims to be a serial killer. He doesn't believe the serial killers in her books are portrayed accurately and he just wants to help. Teri's agent, and even her own son, beg her not to respond to this man. But the emails have sparked a new idea for a book, finally breaking her writer's block. But the more Teri gets to know the serial killer through the emails, the more it seems he knows everything about her life, including the disappearance of her twin sister, Tara, years ago. Has he been watching her all these years? Following her? Does he know something about her sister? And then the murders start, murders where copies of Teri's books are left at the scene, murders very similar to the ones in her books. But Teri can't stop digging . . . she needs to know what happened to her sister. Could this serial killer be the one who took Tara? Does he know where her body is? Could Tara still be alive after all these years? Is the serial killer coming after Teri to finish what he started so long ago? Read Stalker and find out.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2021
52 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 23, 2025
Mark Lukens writing is just so smooth. I can easily sit down and go through one of his books in a single sitting. Teri is a writer. And she is struggling with some repressed memories that haunt her of her sister's disappearance and the death of her boyfriend and father. And she is now communicating with a supposed serial killer who is doing all these things to make her look like she is guilty of his crimes. Nasty stuff! But the story is quick, fun, and fast-paced. It's also kept on a smaller level with very few characters, which I always appreciate. So I guess my biggest critique here would spoil quite a bit of the big twist at the end, which I won't do. But it just didn't seem very plausible. I liked it and thought it was an interesting creative direction, but there seemed to be some holes in there. I kind of felt like the story itself was interesting enough, and didn't need the twist. In a way, I was sort of disappointed that certain things didn't just stay the course, but that's just my personal opinion. Needless to say, I think there will be a clear divide where some people will really dislike the ending, while others will love it. But if you're into psychological thrillers, then this is worth a look.
December 7, 2024
Teri is writing thrillers and her main plots are about serial killers. Things turn interesting when a real serial killer turns up by email (he calls himself Bill the friendly serial killer from the neighborhood). He says her books are lacking certain details. What is his connection to her? Why does Teri feel reminded on her youth when her sister was missing and her boyfriend killed? Soon friends and people close by get killed... Mark Lukens comes up with an intriguing story here and a stunning twist at the end. Okay, there are some logical incongruities but a definite page turner. Can Mark write something else, LOL? Really recommended!
July 14, 2024
Well that ended too quickly.
This is quite fun. Kept my attention enough with its simplicity and direct respect to the plot. I enjoyed it.
Although I was able to guess early on what the twist is going to be, the anticipation was thrilling. I felt like a third person watching a dramatic scene, the intensity leading to the climax and the final revelation. Although it could've ended way better than it did (it was so abrupt, like being hit by a train and then—the moment is gone.) I would've preferred a few more pages.
If you want something short and a bit exciting. This is the one for you.
This is quite fun. Kept my attention enough with its simplicity and direct respect to the plot. I enjoyed it.
Although I was able to guess early on what the twist is going to be, the anticipation was thrilling. I felt like a third person watching a dramatic scene, the intensity leading to the climax and the final revelation. Although it could've ended way better than it did (it was so abrupt, like being hit by a train and then—the moment is gone.) I would've preferred a few more pages.
If you want something short and a bit exciting. This is the one for you.
June 8, 2021
Halfway through I figured it out
But it was still good. I really like this author. I just was a little disappointed at the ending. I wanted more of something. A bigger twist, a happy ending, something, but it just missed being really good. I still enjoyed it though. Mark Lukens is an excellent author And I really enjoy his books.
But it was still good. I really like this author. I just was a little disappointed at the ending. I wanted more of something. A bigger twist, a happy ending, something, but it just missed being really good. I still enjoyed it though. Mark Lukens is an excellent author And I really enjoy his books.
May 16, 2021
Did Not See It Coming!
Someone claiming to be a serial killer emails an author to tell her that her portrayal of serial killers in her books isn't realistic. If that's not a sharp hook then I don't know what is.
As the author emails back and forth with the alleged serial killer, readers get a peek into her life: her son is basically estranged, her neighbors are weird, she's months behind on the deadline for her next book, her sister's boyfriend was murdered when she was younger, her sister was never found, that whole incident caused her father to commit suicide, she likes to run, a lot, maybe too much, and she has a complicated relationship with a detective. And then her neighbors and then her best friend are murdered. She knows it's him; he tells her so in an email. This guy knows her, and not just as an author, but from the past--has maybe even been stalking her since before her sister went missing. But who is he?
I started measuring up possible suspects. Her son is too young, though quite odd with a strained relationship with her--someone he or his girlfriend know? Her agent? Nah, A late manuscript isn't motive for this, right? So, her detective boyfriend . . . He seems genuine on all accounts though. The alarm installation guy? Hmm . . .
The ending shocked me, blew me away! I did not see it coming!
This was a pretty good read, some things about the characters and the events were repetitive, especially in Teri's monologue, but it kept me hooked, dying to know what would happen. This was a great summer time read.
Someone claiming to be a serial killer emails an author to tell her that her portrayal of serial killers in her books isn't realistic. If that's not a sharp hook then I don't know what is.
As the author emails back and forth with the alleged serial killer, readers get a peek into her life: her son is basically estranged, her neighbors are weird, she's months behind on the deadline for her next book, her sister's boyfriend was murdered when she was younger, her sister was never found, that whole incident caused her father to commit suicide, she likes to run, a lot, maybe too much, and she has a complicated relationship with a detective. And then her neighbors and then her best friend are murdered. She knows it's him; he tells her so in an email. This guy knows her, and not just as an author, but from the past--has maybe even been stalking her since before her sister went missing. But who is he?
I started measuring up possible suspects. Her son is too young, though quite odd with a strained relationship with her--someone he or his girlfriend know? Her agent? Nah, A late manuscript isn't motive for this, right? So, her detective boyfriend . . . He seems genuine on all accounts though. The alarm installation guy? Hmm . . .
The ending shocked me, blew me away! I did not see it coming!
This was a pretty good read, some things about the characters and the events were repetitive, especially in Teri's monologue, but it kept me hooked, dying to know what would happen. This was a great summer time read.
March 23, 2023
2.5 stars
Barely held my attention despite its novella length, I was in the mood for something quick and tropey between novels, so I went browsing the Kindle Unlimited catalog, and Stalker came up as a recommendation. On the surface this seemed like the ideal match: a right-to-the-point title, a setup featuring some of my favorite elements (a writer protagonist, cabin in the wood, killer on the loose, etc.), and an rightfully moody cover. Unfortunately my excitement for it was quickly extinguished by the uneventful narrative.
I was really into the first third of Stalker, where the desperate context (a writer's block) and suspicious circumstances (emails from a stranger) were set up. There was one particular scene with such a simple, yet chilling visual, that got me pumped for what's to come. Unfortunately the meat of the story devolved into a loop of tedious repetition — the amount of time I read the protagonist having her morning coffee and breakfast — there's a fundamental story problem when even a novella needs this much padding.
There IS a twist at the end, and it was rightfully tropey (when the book finally matched up to what I was looking for). However, I would've preferred it as a midpoint reveal, as there were unexplored potentials for it to play out more extensively, instead of leaving it as a punchline in the end.
Stalker ended up taking me almost the same amount of time to read as a regular length novel, which was the exact opposite of why I picked it up in the first place. The potential is there, but the execution let it down.
Barely held my attention despite its novella length, I was in the mood for something quick and tropey between novels, so I went browsing the Kindle Unlimited catalog, and Stalker came up as a recommendation. On the surface this seemed like the ideal match: a right-to-the-point title, a setup featuring some of my favorite elements (a writer protagonist, cabin in the wood, killer on the loose, etc.), and an rightfully moody cover. Unfortunately my excitement for it was quickly extinguished by the uneventful narrative.
I was really into the first third of Stalker, where the desperate context (a writer's block) and suspicious circumstances (emails from a stranger) were set up. There was one particular scene with such a simple, yet chilling visual, that got me pumped for what's to come. Unfortunately the meat of the story devolved into a loop of tedious repetition — the amount of time I read the protagonist having her morning coffee and breakfast — there's a fundamental story problem when even a novella needs this much padding.
There IS a twist at the end, and it was rightfully tropey (when the book finally matched up to what I was looking for). However, I would've preferred it as a midpoint reveal, as there were unexplored potentials for it to play out more extensively, instead of leaving it as a punchline in the end.
Stalker ended up taking me almost the same amount of time to read as a regular length novel, which was the exact opposite of why I picked it up in the first place. The potential is there, but the execution let it down.
February 3, 2022
After reading the first few pages of this book I found the story to be pretty weak. It's about an author who is writing through email to a serial killer the serial killer thinks that her killers in her books are not realistic enough. The story seemed very generic to me if that makes sense?, there were so many emails being sent back and forth in the story it just felt like a conversation between two people made into a story if that makes sense? there was no wow Factor or anything to get me interested to read more.
July 23, 2022
This one definitely got me. I didn’t see that ending coming. It was a quick but good read!
December 13, 2024
This book just wasn't for me. Had soo many questions. Like how did the killer get away with it all and not get caught? And that ending? Felt like it ended abruptly and I wanted closure and some answers on what happened to Teri and Matt and her son and just everything. This book felt to me like it could have been soo much more but wasn't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2022
Being an author myself, a story about a writer, who gets contacted by a serial killer is an automatic read for me. If the serial killer told me the killers in my books were too fake and that he could help me, I'm pretty sure I'd respond. What could a few correspondences hurt?
This book was good, until the end. That part let me down, but I'm still glad I read it
This book was good, until the end. That part let me down, but I'm still glad I read it
July 14, 2022
wow!!
Seriously if you like thrillers you are gonna love this!! I was guessing til the end and even then I had a what the hey moment. Couldn’t put it down! This author is amazing at writing fast paced books that keep your attention from beginning to end; every book of his I’ve read in 36 hours or less!
Seriously if you like thrillers you are gonna love this!! I was guessing til the end and even then I had a what the hey moment. Couldn’t put it down! This author is amazing at writing fast paced books that keep your attention from beginning to end; every book of his I’ve read in 36 hours or less!
June 1, 2021
Great story
This is another winner from Mark Lukens! Fast paced and almost impossible to put down. Just when you think you know who done it, surprise! The rug pulled out from under you! I love your stories Mr. Lukens!
This is another winner from Mark Lukens! Fast paced and almost impossible to put down. Just when you think you know who done it, surprise! The rug pulled out from under you! I love your stories Mr. Lukens!
March 12, 2021
What aSurprise
Couldn't believe how it ended. Had me fooled. I usually figure out what's going on way before it's anywhere near done.
Couldn't believe how it ended. Had me fooled. I usually figure out what's going on way before it's anywhere near done.
August 15, 2023
What can one say about Mark that hasn’t already been said. One could say that you never know what to expect when you start reading his work. It has humor, drama, suspense and outright horror. What can you expect but superb writing and his beautiful knowledge of what can downright scare the skin right off your face. It’s a page turner, and if you don’t believe me then you should read his stuff and then you’ll know what I’m talking about. 10 Stars out of 9.4 Stars
March 17, 2025
10 stars
Mark Lukens is an awesome horror author! Stalker was soo good ya just have to read it! You will not be disappointed. And so thankful can get it through Kindle Unlimited!! Stalker was my first Mark Lukens read and I got greedy after my second of his and have all of the as many as KU allows anyway! But but which should I read next!! I have no doubt they will all be great reads.
Mark Lukens is an awesome horror author! Stalker was soo good ya just have to read it! You will not be disappointed. And so thankful can get it through Kindle Unlimited!! Stalker was my first Mark Lukens read and I got greedy after my second of his and have all of the as many as KU allows anyway! But but which should I read next!! I have no doubt they will all be great reads.
August 20, 2025
Mmmm
Well. I read the Eve Townsend books before this and even though they were ok, they are miles better than this.
This book, unfortunately, I dnf because it was almost the same plot and I couldn't stop picturing a live, love, laugh middle age bored stay at home housewife sitting in her spare room trying to think of something good and exciting to write about and completely missing the mark.
Sorry, but this is the last book I'll read of this author
Well. I read the Eve Townsend books before this and even though they were ok, they are miles better than this.
This book, unfortunately, I dnf because it was almost the same plot and I couldn't stop picturing a live, love, laugh middle age bored stay at home housewife sitting in her spare room trying to think of something good and exciting to write about and completely missing the mark.
Sorry, but this is the last book I'll read of this author
August 16, 2023
I loved this book it for sure kept me turning pages. The plot was so intriguing. The ending left me confused in a good way, with so much being revealed it was hard to keep it straight and then the twist sent me into a panic attack.
Definitely a mind bender for me I can't tell if I wanted to know what happened next or if it was better left unsaid all in all it was a really good book.
Definitely a mind bender for me I can't tell if I wanted to know what happened next or if it was better left unsaid all in all it was a really good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2021
A Fun Thriller
This is a fun little thriller. It has some creepy moments, but for the most part is a fast paced who is the bad guy story. A predictable twist ending, but still worth the time.
This is a fun little thriller. It has some creepy moments, but for the most part is a fast paced who is the bad guy story. A predictable twist ending, but still worth the time.
March 4, 2021
Enjoyable read! Different kind of psychological thriller. It will definitely keep you turning the pages!
This is a different type of book with an interesting plot and a different type of psychological twist! The ending will leave you astounded by it's cleverness!
This is a different type of book with an interesting plot and a different type of psychological twist! The ending will leave you astounded by it's cleverness!
March 20, 2023
Very good
Mr Lukens writes very good suspenseful books that leave you wondering. I don't want to say much and give it all away. I'm working my way through his stories and enjoying them very much. I can't wait to read another. Happy Reading!
Mr Lukens writes very good suspenseful books that leave you wondering. I don't want to say much and give it all away. I'm working my way through his stories and enjoying them very much. I can't wait to read another. Happy Reading!
July 30, 2025
Stalker Review
This book was a 10/10. Every book I read from him has been amazing. He is able to get you to feel like a detective in his books. He keeps you engaged and wanting more!!
This book was a 10/10. Every book I read from him has been amazing. He is able to get you to feel like a detective in his books. He keeps you engaged and wanting more!!
February 21, 2021
What a great book, I loved every word of it.
I never ever read a book so fast... just awesome.
I never ever read a book so fast... just awesome.
September 15, 2023
loved this book
Such a good twist. Mark’s writing is great. So nice to see a new book from him. Can’t wait for more.
Such a good twist. Mark’s writing is great. So nice to see a new book from him. Can’t wait for more.
February 12, 2024
I loved this book! I never saw the ending coming at all! I truly was convinced there was someone else stalking her! Great read!
July 19, 2023
This book is a short read and while the concept and storyline is great, it was really hard for me to get into it. A book this size would normally take me a couple hours but it took me over a week because it wasn’t grabbing my attention as much as some other books. It picked up at the end but I don’t like slow burns. I like page turners. I do still recommend this book, but it just wasn’t my favorite.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews